Liu Yuan Bestows Teachings, Yan Xuan and Zi Yue's Gratitude

Flame City Symbol Master Association, top floor.

This was President Master Yan's private Quiet Room. Aside from his personal disciple Zi Yue, few people were ordinarily allowed to set foot here.

The room was arranged in an antique yet elegant style, with a faint scent of sandalwood permeating the air and calming one's mind.

At that moment, Zi Yue, dressed in purple, hurriedly pushed open the door and entered from outside. She tightly clutched a thick stack of scrolls in her hands, her pretty face bearing shock and disbelief that she was trying her utmost to suppress.

"Teacher, I found it!"

Zi Yue's voice was somewhat hurried as she dumped the scrolls in her hands onto the desk before Yan Xuan.

Yan Xuan, who had been resting with his eyes closed, slowly opened them. Seeing his beloved disciple so flustered, he could not help but frown slightly.

"Zi Yue, I have always taught you to remain calm in the face of anything. Why are you still so rash and impatient?"

"What news in Flame City could possibly shock you like this?"

Zi Yue took a deep breath, calming her turbulent emotions before pointing at the scrolls on the desk.

"Teacher, take a look at these first. Over the past few days, I mobilized the Symbol Master Association's entire intelligence network and even used some channels through the City Lord's Mansion to gather all the information on Liu Yuan."

At the mention of "Liu Yuan," Yan Xuan's previously unconcerned expression instantly froze, and two sharp glints burst forth from his clouded old eyes.

Without the slightest hesitation, he immediately reached out, picked up the scrolls, and swiftly began reading through them.

As the scrolls slowly unfolded, Yan Xuan's expression underwent drastic changes.

From initial solemnity, to surprise, and finally utter stupefaction, it was as though he had seen something that completely overturned his understanding.

"H-How is this possible?!"

Yan Xuan's hand trembled, and he nearly dropped the scrolls. Raising his head, his eyes were filled with disbelief.

"According to the intelligence here, Liu Yuan is not merely a Five-Seal Talisman Master. His Origin Power cultivation is also at least at Form Creation Realm Great Accomplishment?"

"And... he once supplied the Wanjin Auction with a large number of high-quality Pills. He is suspected to be an alchemist?"

Yan Xuan's voice was trembling.

He had only known that Liu Yuan's Spiritual Power cultivation was terrifying, and that he was likely a Five-Seal Talisman Master. He had never expected this man to possess such horrifying attainments in both Origin Power cultivation and alchemy!

A martial arts expert at Form Creation Realm Great Accomplishment or above!

A Five-Seal Talisman Master!

An alchemy grandmaster!

Any one of those three identities would make someone an influential figure capable of shaking Flame City.

Yet now, all three identities were concentrated in a young man who was only around twenty years old!

What kind of concept was that?

He was simply a monster among monsters, a freak among freaks!

"Yes, Teacher..."

Zi Yue gave a bitter smile, her eyes filled with frustration.

"I always thought my talent was fairly good, that I could be considered outstanding among Flame City's younger generation. But compared to Young Master Liu Yuan..."

"I'm simply worthless."

Zi Yue spoke those words sincerely.

Faced with such an insurmountable mountain, she could not even summon the desire to feel jealous. All that remained was a deep sense of helplessness.

Yan Xuan let out a long sigh, slowly closed the scrolls in his hands, and remarked with mixed emotions.

"He truly is a divine man."

"What kind of force could possibly raise such an extraordinary talent?"

After his sigh, Yan Xuan's expression became more serious than ever as he solemnly instructed Zi Yue.

"Zi Yue, remember this. If you see Young Master Liu Yuan again in the future, you must not show the slightest disrespect, much less throw around your Miss's temper!"

"Our Symbol Master Association must do everything possible to win him over and befriend him!"

"If we can gain the friendship of such a peerless expert, it will bring endless benefits to the Symbol Master Association!"

Zi Yue hurriedly nodded.

"Rest assured, Teacher. Your disciple understands."

She was not stupid. After what had happened at the auction house, coupled with the intelligence she had gathered over the past few days, she would not dare act presumptuously before Liu Yuan even if she were given ten times the courage.

But...

Zi Yue hesitantly glanced out the window and muttered softly.

"But Teacher, didn't Young Master Liu say last time that he would come to the Symbol Master Association in a few days to give you a great fortune?"

"It has already been several days. Why is there still no news? Could it be that... he forgot about you?"

Hearing this, Yan Xuan shook his head.

"Do not speak nonsense!"

"A remarkable talent like Young Master Liu keeps his word. Since he made a promise, he will never go back on it!"

"Perhaps something delayed him. We only need to wait patiently and must not be anxious."

Just as master and disciple were speaking.

Knock! Knock! Knock!

A burst of hurried knocking suddenly rang out. Immediately afterward, the guard outside spoke in a breathless yet exceedingly excited voice.

"President! President! Wonderful news!"

"Young Master Liu Yuan! Young Master Liu Yuan has arrived! He is waiting outside the main gate right now!"

Buzz!

Upon hearing those words, Yan Xuan and Zi Yue seemed to have been struck by lightning as they abruptly sprang up from their chairs.

"He's here?!"

Yan Xuan's beard trembled wildly with excitement. Where was the dignified bearing of the President now?

He hurriedly straightened his clothes and urgently said to Zi Yue.

"Quick! Zi Yue, come with me to welcome Young Master Liu!"

"Remember, our attitude must be respectful! Show him the highest courtesy of our Symbol Master Association!"

After saying that, Yan Xuan did not even wait for Zi Yue's reply before turning into a gust of wind and rushing out of the Quiet Room in a panic.

Zi Yue did not dare delay either and hurriedly followed after him.

A moment later.

Under the frightened yet reverent gazes of the two guards, Yan Xuan appeared at the entrance of the Symbol Master Association with Zi Yue, his face covered in smiles.

When he saw the young man standing with his hands behind his back and a calm expression, Yan Xuan hurried forward two steps. From a considerable distance away, he cupped his hands in greeting and spoke loudly.

"I did not know Young Master Liu would honor us with your presence. This old man failed to welcome you properly. I hope you will forgive me!"

This scene once again left the passersby around them dumbfounded.

Was this really Master Yan?

Liu Yuan looked at the hurriedly arriving Yan Xuan and smiled faintly.

"President Yan, you are too polite. I only arrived a short while ago."

"Young Master Liu, you shame this old man. Just call me Yan Xuan or Old Yan. Please do not call me President."

Yan Xuan hurriedly waved his hands, then made an extremely respectful gesture of invitation.

"Young Master Liu, this is not a suitable place to talk. Please come to the top-floor Quiet Room for a discussion."

Liu Yuan nodded and did not refuse, stepping into the Symbol Master Association.

Along the way, every Rune Master they encountered, whether apprentice or official Rune Master, was left staring in astonishment upon seeing their own President accompanying a young man with such humility. They all began guessing the young man's identity.

After arriving at the top-floor Quiet Room.

Yan Xuan did not allow any Maid to do the work. Instead, he personally took out the finest Spirit Tea he had treasured for many years and skillfully brewed a fragrant cup for Liu Yuan.

"Young Master Liu, please have a taste. This is Cloud Mist Spirit Tea produced on Heavenly Capital Peak. Though it cannot compare to the divine nectar and jade liquor you usually drink, it is still considered a rare treasure in Flame City."

Yan Xuan held the teacup in both hands and respectfully offered it to Liu Yuan.

Liu Yuan accepted the cup and took a light sip. A refreshing coolness immediately seeped into his heart and spleen, making him nod.

"Not bad. Good tea."

Upon hearing Liu Yuan's praise, Yan Xuan's face immediately bloomed with delight, as though he had received some tremendous affirmation.

After the pleasantries, Liu Yuan set down his teacup, and his gaze became slightly more serious.

Looking at Yan Xuan, who sat upright with expectation written across his face yet did not dare ask directly, Liu Yuan did not beat around the bush and went straight to the point.

"At the auction house last time, I said I would give you a great fortune."

"I came today for precisely that reason."

Hearing that they had reached the main matter, Yan Xuan and Zi Yue, who stood at the side, instantly began breathing faster, their hearts rising into their throats.

Liu Yuan extended a finger and lightly tapped the tabletop as he slowly spoke.

"Though that exchange of Spiritual Power last time was brief, I still sensed your current condition."

"You have been stuck at the peak of the Four-Seal Talisman Master realm for quite some years, haven't you?"

Yan Xuan's body shook. He hurriedly nodded again and again.

"Young Master, your insight is truly sharp! Just as you said, this old man has been stuck at this bottleneck for more than ten years. No matter how bitterly I cultivated, I could never take that final step and touch the threshold of a Five-Seal Talisman Master."

As he spoke, Yan Xuan's eyes filled with bitterness and helplessness.

The further Rune Masters advanced in cultivation, the more difficult it became.

One step apart was a vast, impassable chasm.

Countless brilliantly talented Rune Masters had been trapped at this step for their entire lives, dying in depression and regret.

Liu Yuan smiled faintly. Light flashed from the Universe Bag on his finger, and two Jade Slips radiating a faint glow appeared on the table.

He pointed to one of the Jade Slips and said calmly.

"This contains some of my insights into the Five-Seal Talisman Master realm, along with a few minor techniques for breaking through that bottleneck."

"Though I cannot guarantee that it will allow you to break through with absolute certainty, it can at least show you the path ahead."

Boom!

The moment Liu Yuan finished speaking, Yan Xuan felt as though a thunderclap had exploded in his mind, leaving him completely stunned.

Insights into the Five-Seal Talisman Master realm?!

Methods for breaking through the bottleneck?!

To Yan Xuan, this Jade Slip was simply too precious!

"This... this is far too valuable! Young Master, this..."

Yan Xuan was so excited that he could barely speak coherently. His hands trembled as he wanted to take the Jade Slip, yet he also felt unworthy of receiving it, leaving him frozen in place.

Ignoring his excitement, Liu Yuan pointed at the other Jade Slip and looked at Zi Yue, whose face was likewise filled with shock.

"As for this one..."

"I see that your female disciple's talent is acceptable, but her use of Spiritual Power is still somewhat crude."

"This contains some cultivation insights regarding Three-Seal and Four-Seal Talisman Masters. Consider it a small gift I am giving her while I am at it."

"This..."

This time, it was Zi Yue's turn to be dumbfounded.

She pointed at her own nose, her beautiful eyes wide open, completely unable to believe that such fortune had fallen upon her so suddenly.

Cultivation insights regarding Three-Seal and Four-Seal Talisman Masters?!

For her, who was still at the low-level Rune Master stage, this was simply an invaluable treasure!

Although Yan Xuan was already her teacher, every Rune Master had different ideas. If she could draw upon the strengths of many others, her improvement would certainly be faster.

"What? You do not want it?"

Seeing the two of them standing there in a daze, Liu Yuan raised a brow and made as if to take back the Jade Slips.

"Yes, yes, yes! We want them!!"

Yan Xuan and Zi Yue cried out almost simultaneously. Like chicks guarding their food, each grabbed a Jade Slip and clutched it tightly to their chest, terrified that Liu Yuan would change his mind.

"Thank you, Young Master Liu! Thank you for your great kindness!!"

With a thud, Yan Xuan actually dropped to his knees and heavily kowtowed three times before Liu Yuan.

"I will never forget Young Master's grace of remaking me! Should you have any command in the future, even if I must climb mountains of knives or descend into seas of fire, Yan Xuan will not furrow his brow!"

Zi Yue also knelt beside her teacher.

"Thank you, Young Master, for bestowing your teachings! Zi Yue will remember this in her heart and never dare forget it!"